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DISCOURSE  ^ 


\dwm(>  at  t^u  ^,nmui  of 


HON.  WILLIAM  M.  RICHARDSON, 


ON  THE  2Gth  DAY  OF  MARCH,  A.  D..  1838. 


BY    REV.  JONATHAN    CLEMENT, 


y 


PASTOR  OF  THE  CONGREGATIONAL  PARISH  IN  CHESTER,  N     H. 


PI'BMSHEI)    BY    REQUEST    OF    THE    CmZENS    OF    CHESTER, 


CONCORD,  N.  H. 


PRINTED    RY    ASA    m'f  ARf.  AND,  OPPOSITE    TH  F    "iTATK    HOUSE. 


1838. 


•  *  •   •       t 

•  «  •     •  •**  ••  * 


DISCOURSE. 


ECCLESIASTES  xn.  .   7. 

THEN  SHALL  THE  DUST  RETURN  TO  THE  EARTH  AS  IT  WAS  ;  AND 
THE  SPIRIT  SHALL  RETURN  UNTO  GOD  WHO  GAVE  IT. 

It  needs  not  the  announcement  of  these  words  of  Holy 
Writ,  at  the  present  time,  to  convince  us  that  all  flesh  is  grass, 
and  the  goodliness  thereof  as  the  flower  of  the  field.  We 
have  before  us  the  affecting  memorials  of  human  frailty. 
The  deep  solemnity  on  the  minds  of  all  around  us  ;  the  tears 
and  sighs  of  the  mourners ;  the  sympathy  of  surviving 
friends ;  these  are  the  voice  of  God,  saying  to  every  one  of 
us,  "  dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou  return." 

We  take  our  journey  through  life  in  far  different  ways. 
Some  keep  the  lowly  vales  of  life,  and  are  known  only  to 
a  few  friends  and  acquaintances ;  others  fill  a  large  space  in 
the  knowledge  and  estimation  of  their  fellow-men  ;  yet  all 
alike  follow  the  same  destination,  every  one  in  his  turn  say- 
ing "  to  corruption,  thou  art  my  father,  and  to  the  worm, 
thou  art  my  mother  and  my  sister."  We  are  always  in- 
structed by  death ;  and  he  who  quits  this  earthly  stage,  for 
one  of  far  other  magnitude,  has  a  lesson  in  his  departure  for 
his  respective  circle  of  acquaintances. 

The  death  of  Judge  Richardson,  which  now  arrests  our 
attention,  is  felt  severely  by  an  extensive  circle  of  endeared 


15^091 


tVieudK.  -Pel haps  it  may  be  profitable  to  direct  the  serious 
attention  of  this  numerous  assembly  to  the  life  and  character 
of  the  deceased,  and  to  turn  the  Providence  to  such  account 
as  may  be  suited  to  the  present  feelings  of  the  mourners, 
and  of  the  community. 

The  circumstance  which  gave  to  our  departed  friend  a 
public  education,  and  a  public  course  of  hfe,  was  touchingly 
referred  to  by  him  on  a  former  occasion  of  illness.  Shewing 
on  his  hand  the  scar  of  a  wound  which  was  received  in  his 
boyhood — "  it  was  this  (said  he)  which  gave  me  my  educa- 
tion, and  it  has  led  me  to  think  much  on  a  particular  Provi- 
dence." Disabled  by  this  accident,  he  devoted  to  study  that 
time  which  would  otherwise  have  been  devoted  to  labor  on 
a  farm.  He  soon  discovered  such  a  relish,  and  made  such 
proficiency  in  learning,  as  induced  him  to  select  that  course 
of  life  which  led  to  his  eminent  public  services. 

He  was  born  at  Pelham,  N.  H.,  January  4,  1774,  At  the 
age  of  twenty-three  he  was  graduated  at  Cambridge,  the 
seat  of  our  oldest  university,  with  high  honors.  After  leav- 
ing College,  he  was  employed  in  the  instruction  of  the 
Academy  at  Leicester,  Mass.  Here  his  health  declined  in 
consequence  of  that  severe  industry  for  which  he  was  always 
distinguished.  A  partial  relaxation  from  his  literary  labors 
so  far  restored  his  health,  that  he  was  not  long  after  employed 
as  preceptor  of  the  Academy  in  Groton,  Mass.  In  this  situ- 
ation, he  was  as  ever,  exceedingly  industrious,  but  his  studies 
were,  at  first,  altogether  of  a  literary  kind.  He  was  fond  of 
writing  poetry,  and  of  the  early  productions  of  his  muse, 
there  are  still  some  remains.  He  was  at  this  period  doing 
much  to  cultivate  that  delicate  taste  in  composition  which 
marked  his  subsequent  career  of  literature.      It  is  believed 


he  had  not  fixed  upon  his  juolession.  until  he  was  invited 
into  the  office  of  Judge  Dana.  Of  this  gentleman,  he  was 
so  happy  as  to  secure  the  entire  confidence,  and  with  him  lie 
was  associated  in  business,  in  the  early  part  of  his  profes- 
sional labors.  In  1811,  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  as  suc- 
cessor to  General  Varnum,  then  chosen  to  a  seat  in  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States.  He  was  reelected,  but  re- 
signed his  seat  in  Congress  in  1814,  for  the  purpose  of  remov- 
ing to  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

In  his  new  situation  he  immediately  entered  into  extensive 
practise.  His  credit  at  the  bar  is  sufficiently  shewn  from 
the  fact  that  within  two  years  after  his  removal  into  the 
State,  he  was  appointed  Chief  Justice,  an  office  which  he 
held  to  the  time  of  his  decease — being  about  twenty-two 
years.  He  removed  to  this  town  abotit  nineteen  years  since, 
where  of  course  he  has  been  well  known,  and  as  every  one 
will  add,  as  much  esteemed  for  his  excellencies  of  character, 
both  public  and  private.  But  his  acquaintance  was  familiar 
over  the  whole  State,  and  greatly  beyond  its  bounds.  He 
has  died  in  office  and  in  honor  ;  and  many,  and  honored  are 
they,  who  mourn  his  loss,  and  revere  his  memory.  Such  a 
character  is  public  property,  and  ought  not  to  be  consigned 
to  oblivion,  even  if  there  were  any  disposition  so  to  do. 
The  indulgence  of  my  hearers  is  asked,  and  especially  of 
the  relations  and  particular  friends  of  the  deceased,  if  in  a 
brief  analysis  of  his  character  the  limits  of  propriety  shall 
be  in  any  respect  exceeded. 

Unquestionably  he  was  endowed  by  nature  with  a  mind 
of  the  first  order.  Its  perceptions  were  quick,  and  its  move- 
ments rapid.  Whatever  subject  he  examined  he  seized  upon 
the  main  points  of  it  with   wonderful  acumen.      Such  was 


6 

the  ardor  of  his  intellect,  that  it  flashed,  as  it  were,  in  a  mo- 
ment, into  the  darkest  intricacies,  and  brought  to  plain  view 
what  was  before  hidden  in  obscurity.    He  was,  in  the  strictest 
sense,  a  genius,  and  the  creations  of  his  fancy  were  such, 
that,  had  he  given  his  attention  to  poetry,  he  would  doubtless 
have  excelled  in  that  department  of  writing.     His  produc- 
tions in  prose,  when  the  nature  of  the  subject  would  allow, 
were  filled  with  original  turns  of  thought,  and  oftentimes, 
with  expressions  in  the  highest  degree  striking  and  impres- 
sive.    In  his  conversation  he  was  continually  throwing  out 
both  thoughts  and  expressions  that  made  the  hearer  feel  that 
he  was  in  the  presence  of  no  common  man.     Had  he  never 
received  a  public  education,  the  force  of  his  genius  would 
yet  have  been  such  as  to  be  felt  by  all  who  are  capable  of 
appreciating  the  characteristics  of  a  noble  mind.      Many  of 
his  observations  on  works  of  genius,  and  on  the  incidents  of 
common  life,  were  worthy  of  being  treasured  up,  and  regis- 
tered, not  only  for  the  gratification  of  his  friends,  but  for  the 
benefit  of  strangers  and  posterity.       There  was  a  brilliancy 
about  his  mind   that  rendered   it  truly  captivating.      The 
strokes  of   his  wit,  it  is  believed,  were  never  excelled  in 
originality  and  point ;  and  however  caustic,  they  were  almost 
universally  levelled  against  folly  and  vice.      It  was  not  in 
his  heart,  for  the  sake  of  brilliant  repartee,  to  wound  the 
feelings  of  innocence,  or  obstruct  the  ways  of  virtue.     It 
has  been  noticed  that  where  the  penetration  of  the  mind  is 
at  once  so  deep  and  searching,  and  its  motions  so  rapid,  de- 
cisions are  often  formed  on  a  sudden,  which  are  less  accurate  ; 
and  this  was  the  case  with  our  deceased  friend.     But  the  ill 
effects  of  this  hasty  decision  were  in  him  prevented  by  a 
careful  revision,  and  a  prompt  and  honest  avowal  of  any 


change  in  opinion  suggested  by  full  examination.  His  mind, 
which  had  been  formed  for  the  boldest  flights  of  imagination, 
was  chastened  by  severe  and  careful  reasoning,  and  ])y  a 
long  discipline  attained  that  balance  of  its  powers,  whirh 
approaches  intellectual  perfection. 

While  the  character  of  Judge  Richardson's  mind  was 
thus  marked  and  peculiar,  no  less  so  was  that  of  his  natural 
feelings.  In  generosity  and  nobleness  of  disposition,  no  one 
was  before  him.  He  held  in  utter  abhorrence  every  thing 
that  is  crooked  in  policy,  and  mean  in  practice.  His  feelings 
were  kind  toward  his  family  and  friends.  He  was  beloved 
as  a  neighbor.  He  repaid  with  attention  and  gratitude  every 
act  of  kindness  performed  toward  himself.  He  cherished 
no  implacable  resentments.  The  poor  and  distressed  he 
would  succour  to  the  utmost  extent  of  his  ability.  None 
ever  went  to  him  in  sorrow,  who  did  not  find  a  sympathising 
heart.  Holding  as  he  has  a  conspicuous  office  in  the  State, 
he  has  of  course  been  very  extensively  a  subject  of  conver- 
sation ;  and  it  is  believed  that  whatever  admiration  of  his 
talents  and  integrity  has  been  expressed,  even  greater  has 
been  the  afiection  uniformly  expressed  and  felt  towards  him 
as  a  man. 

There  was  nothing  more  remarkable  in  the  life  of  Judge 
Richardson  than  his  untiring  industry.  With  limited 
early  advantages,  and  somewhat  late  in  the  commencement 
of  his  liberal  studies  ;  indebted  almost  entirely  to  his  own 
exertions  for  support,  as  he  passed  from  the  Academy  to  the 
University,  and  from  that  to  the  bar,  he  yet  ranked  high  as 
a  scholar  in  a  large  class,  enrolling  on  its  catalogue  such 
names  as  Binney  of  Philadelphia.  A  destructive  impression 
sometimes  infests  the  minds  of  the  young,  that  genius,  un- 


8 

improved  by  culture,  leads  on  to  high  usefulness  and  honor 
in  the  learned  professions.  But  there  is  not  a  solitary  ex- 
ample among  the  eminent  living,  or  the  eminent  dead,  to 
sanction  this  opinion.  During  the  last  eight  years,  the 
speaker  has  had  much  opportunity  to  know  the  mental  habits 
of  tlie  deceased ;  and  no  hesitation  is  felt  in  saying,  that  of 
all  the  hard  working  men  in  the  town,  he  was  literally  at 
the  head.  There  is  probably  not  a  farmer  in  the  place,  or  a 
mechanic,  who  has  performed  so  much  severe  labor — so  ex- 
hausting to  the  constitution  ;  and  this  in  the  midst  of  almost 
constant  bodily  suffering  from  illness.  Blessed  orignally 
with  one  of  the  finest  constitutions,  he  early  brought  into  it 
the  seeds  of  indestructible  disease,  and  has  been  a  great  suf- 
ferer all  his  remaining  days.  Occasionally  he  would  yield 
for  a  short  time  to  the  severity  of  his  pain,  but  even  then, 
if  not  confined  to  his  bed,  he  would  be  employed  in  some 
manual  exercise,  of  the  fruit  of  which  there  are  now,  and 
long  will  be,  numerous  mementos.  But  his  great  and  ex- 
hausting labor  was  hard  study.  Hour  after  hour,  and  fre- 
quently to  the  amomitof  twelve  and  fourteen  hours  in  a  day, 
has  he  applied  his  mind  to  his  professional  studies.  And 
besides  this,  he  extended  his  researches  into  almost  every 
branch  of  learning.  With  the  ancient  and  modern  lan- 
guages, and  with  the  best  English  productions,  he  was  ex- 
ceedingly familiar.  To  these  rigid  habits  of  industry  he 
was  indebted  for  the  credit  with  which  he  so  long  performed 
the  duties  of  Chief  Justice.  His  knowledge  of  law  was 
rendered  such  by  his  studious  habits,  that  few  men  in  our 
country  have  excelled  him  in  this  qualification  of  a  Judge. 
His  tact  of  discovering  and  presenting  to  a  Jury  the  principal 
points  in  a  case,  was  in  a  great  measure  the  result   of  rigid 


mental  discipline  ;  and  his  constant  attention  to  the  best 
models  of  style  in  the  ancient  and  modern  classics,  gave  to 
his  law  reports  a  simplicity  and  perspicuity  which  were  much 
admired  at  home  and  abroad.  In  ha])py  condensation,  in 
hicid  arrangement,  in  clear  and  interesting  language,  his 
writings  bear  a  close  resemblance  to  the  best  works  of  the 
Augustan  age  of  English  literature.  Such  are  the  effects  of 
industrious  habits,  early  formed,  and  continued  for  a  length 
of  years.  In  this  particular  his  life  is  worthy  of  the  special 
study  of  every  young  man.  Nothing  can  be  well  done,  in 
any  business,  without  severe  toil  ;  and  with  this,  faithfully 
and  wisely  applied,  almost  any  thing  desirable  can  be  ac- 
complished. 

So  important  is  the  office  which  Judge  Richardson  has 
sustained  in  this  State,  and  so  general  the  favor  with  which 
his  discharge  of  official  duties  has  been  regarded,  that  un- 
doubtedly his  public  character  will  be  drawn  by  some  one 
better  qualified  than  myself  for  the  task.  On  this  point, 
therefore,  I  shall  not  enlarge.  Of  his  literary  dispositions 
and  accomplishments  I  have  spoken  with  greater  confidence 
— not  because  they  are  more  certain,  but  because  to  me 
they  are  better  known. 

As  a  specimen  of  his  industry  in  literary  pursuits,  it  may 
be  observed,  that  he  twice  read  Dante,  in  the  original,  during 
the  last  five  years  of  his  life,  besides  reading  much  in  Span- 
ish and  French,  and  looking  often  into  the  Latin  writers, 
such  as  Juvenal  and  Sallust.  He  was  very  fond  of  the  natu- 
ral sciences,  and  in  Botany  he  made  a  collection  of  plants 
which  displays  both  his  industry  and  his  acquaintance  with 
the  subject.  In  short,  there  was  nothing  within  the  circle 
of  knowledge  to  which  he  did  not  devote  his  attention,  and 


10 

with  success  proportioned  to  the  degree  of  time  he  could 
bestow.  The  works  of  nature  he  often  mentioned,  and  fre- 
quently with  much  warmth,  as  displaying  the  power  and 
goodness  of  the  Almighty.  Testimony  to  his  literary,  sci- 
entific and  professional  attainments  has  been  rendered  from 
various  quarters,  and  among  the  rest  the  degree  of  LL.  D. 
was  conferred  on  him  by  Dartmouth  College.  Such  honors, 
as  was  observed  of  "Watts  by  Johnson,  would  be  of  more 
value  if  always  as  judiciously  bestowed. 

In  all  respects  his  removal  to  this  town  was  a  great  bless- 
ing to  the  place  ;  but  in  nothing  more  so  than  in  the  influ- 
ence he  exerted  in  improving  the  literary  character  of  the 
citizens.  He  interested  himself  greatly  in  the  formation  of 
an  Athenaium,  which  has  been,  and  will  continue  to  be,  an 
advantage  to  the  place,  of  no  inconsiderable  magnitude.  Be- 
sides this,  he  was  continually  obtaining  the  newest  and  best 
books,  and  was  never  so  much  gratified  as  when  they  were 
well  used  by  his  neighbors.  Even  if  books  and  reviews 
were  not  read  by  others,  if  read  by  himself  they  were  made 
the  subjects  of  remark  in  conversation,  calculated  to  improve 
the  taste  and  enlarge  the  knowledge  of  an  extended  circle 
of  occasional  hearers.  In  his  conversation,  as  well  as  in  his 
writings,  he  was  one  of  the  purest  examples  of  the  use  of 
our  language  ;  entirely  free  from  atfectation,  never  verbose, 
never  obscure,  always  exerting  the  best  influence  on  the 
style  of  every  one  who  enjoyed  his  friendship.  In  this  re- 
spect alone  his  loss  to  the  community  is  great — for  not  very 
common  are  such  models  of  pure  English  in  men  of  rank. 
The  eff'orts  used  by  him  for  the  literary  benefit  of  society 
were  continually  put  forth, — and  the  influence  thence  re- 
sulting, though  silent   like   the  dew  or  the  light,  was  like 


11 

them  preparing  the  way  for  the  harvest  of  after  time.  The 
constant  elevation  of  mind  in  a  commnnity,  through  the 
diffusion  of  wholesome  learning,  is  adapted  to  banish  vice 
and  promote  virtue  ;  and  though  it  may  be  left  to  coming 
years  to  record  the  benefits  of  such  influences,  the  record  is 
sure. 

The  most  miportant  question  that  can  be  asked  concerning 
any  one  who  has  lived  and  died,  relates  to  the  influence  he 
has  exerted  on  the  momentous  subjects  of  morals  and  reli- 
gion. As  to  public  morality,  it  was  a  subject  undeniably  of 
deep  interest  with  the  deceased.  His  maxim  was,  that  no 
community  can  be  happy  without  being  moral.  For  the 
promotion  of  this  cause  he  labored.  Strictly  temperate,  and 
even  at  times  abstemious  himself,  he  early  advocated  the 
Temperance  Reform.  A  published  address  of  his  to  the 
Grand  Jury,  was  one  of  the  first  movements  of  the  great 
cause  in  this  State.  Strict  honesty  in  the  dealings  of  man 
with  man,  truth,  candor,  private  benevolence,  public  spirit, 
good  citizenship,  in  all  its  relations,  he  both  inculcated  on 
others,  and  practised  himself. 

It  has  never  been  my  privilege  to  hear  any  one  express 
more  emphatically  than  he,  the  conviction  that  the  Christian 
Religion  is  the  only  foundation  on  which  public  morals  can 
safely  rest.  ''Without  this,"  said  he,  "  there  would  be  no 
'  validity  in  an  oath,  and  our  courts  of  justice  would  be  de- 
'  stroyed.  I  would  not  live  in  a  place  where  the  gospel  was 
'  not  regularly  preached."  Of  course  he  was  the  liberal 
supporter  and  tried  friend  of  our  religious  Society.  In  any 
difficulty  we  might  go  to  him  with  the  utmost  freedom  and 
confidence.     His  influence,  great  as  it  was,  and  whatever  of 


12 

pecuniary  contribution  might  be  needed,  he  never  with- 
held. In  his  death  our  parish  has  sustained  a  great  loss. 
He  was  so  cordial  in  his  attachment  to  its  interests,  that 
many  others  were  made  its  friends  through  his  example  ; 
and  he  was  so  constant  and  so  delicate  in  his  numerous  little, 
and  sometimes  not  little  attentions  to  his  own  minister,  as 
afforded  that  encouragement  and  support  which  the  arduous 
duties  of  his  calling  render  of  indispensable  importance. 

He  subscribed  freely  to  that  construction  of  the  gospel 
which  is  termed  evangelical ;  none  other  did  he  consider  as 
reaching  the  spirituality  of  its  sense.  To  an  old  friend,  an 
aged  and  much  respected  minister  of  the  gospel,  he  once 
remarked,  "  that  he  could  usually  determine,  by  the  conduct 
of  jurors  and  witnesses,  whether  or  not  they  had  come  from 
places  where  an  evangelical  ministry  was  enjoyed." 

It  is  true,  the  assent  of  the  judgment  to  the  discriminating 
truths  of  the  gospel  is  a  very  different  thing  from  that  sm- 
render  of  the  heart  to  Christ,  which  is  saving  faith.  We 
are  bound  to  credit  his  own  confessions,  made  during  his 
late  illnesses,  that  in  the  multiplicity  of  his  labors  he  at- 
tended less  to  the  cultivation  of  his  own  heart,  than  the 
gospel  requires.  "  I  have  over-worked  myself,"  said  he,  in 
one  of  his  latest  conversations  ;  "it  was  an  error — yet  it  was 
an  honest  endeavor  to  do  my  duty :  but  it  was  not  my  only 
error  :  the  poet  was  right — 

'Too  low  they  build  who  build  beneath  the  stars/ 

Every  confidence  now  escapes  me  except  the  atonement  of 
Jesus  Christ."  His  views  on  some  points  of  theology,  and 
on  some  matters  of  practice,  would  have  been  modified,  had 
the  grace  of  God  been  operative  in  his  heart  during  the 
active  years  of  his  life.     But  malice  was  not  in  his  heart. 


13 

He  read  the  Bible  much.  On  some  parts  of  its  history  he 
frequently  made  remarks  which  were  useful  to  the  well  read 
theologian.  The  New  Testament  he  has  perused  frequently 
of  late  years,  chiefly  in  the  modern  languages  of  Europe. 
He  comprehended  fully,  and  expressed  forcibly  the  spirit  of 
simplicity,  meekness  and  humility,  therein  enjoined  upon 
the  Christian.  He  was  not  in  the  habit  of  speaking  of  his 
own  feelings  v/ith  freedom  ;  his  private  troubles  he  did  not 
communicate  ;  he  bore  them  with  fortitude  and  alone.  This 
trait  in  his  character  induces  the  belief  that  his  religious 
feelings  were  much  deeper  than  was  known  even  to  his  most 
intimate  friends.  If  he  was  reluctant  to  express  to  his  own 
family  his  private  feelings  on  other  subjects,  when  they 
were  undoubtedly  exquisite,  there  is  scarce  a  doubt  that  the 
inmost  soul  was  seldom  seen  when  agitated  by  the  thoughts 
of  eternity ;  and  this  opinion  is  confirmed  by  the  occasional 
remarks  that  fell  from  him  during  his  last  few  months  or 
weeks. 

In  respect  to  the  use  of  money,  that  rock  on  which  so 
many  make  shipwreck  of  faith,  he  was  certainly  a  much 
better  example  of  the  spirit  of  Christianity  than  is  exhibited 
by  most  professors  of  religion.  The  love  of  hoarding  was 
an  utter  stranger  to  his  bosom.  Money  was  no  more  to  him 
than  the  dust  under  his  feet,  except  so  far  as  it  could  be 
made  the  means  of  doing  good.  He  often  made  animated 
and  excellent  remarks  on  the  good  moral  influence  of  the 
slow  accumulation  of  property,  by  constant  industry  and 
honest  dealing  ;  and  the  spirit  of  speculation  he  exposed  in 
a  masterly  manner,  at  the  very  time  when  it  was  most  rife 
in  our  country.  Had  his  judgments  in  this  particular  been 
seasonably  regarded,  some  of   the  grossest  immoralities  in 


14 

our  history  would  have  been  j)revented,  and  hundreds  of 
men,  and  even  of  professed  christians,  would  have  been 
saved  from  embarrassment  and  dishonor. 

The  prospect  of  death  did  not  in  the  least  discompose  him. 
He  was  perfectly  resigned  to  his  closing  mortal  scene  ;  and 
the  composure  he  felt  he  ascribed,  in  the  most  emphatical 
manner,  to  the  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God.  When  his 
reason  was  perfectly  clear,  which  was  the  case  at  intervals 
till  almost  the  moment  of  his  death,  he  spoke  of  the  Sufferer 
of  Calvary  as  the  only  medium  of  approach  to  the  tree  of 
life.  His  own  language  was,  "  I  know  in  whom  I  have 
believed,  and  where  alone  is  my  trust."  In  respect  to  the 
unequivocal  and  emphatic  testimony  to  faith  in  the  Cross  as 
the  dying  man's  anchor,  nothing  could  be  more  sublime  than 
the  spectacle  of  his  departure.  And  to  the  connection  of 
this  faith  in  the  central  truth  of  the  gospel,  with  his  own 
feelings  in  view  of  life,  and  in  view  of  death,  we  ascribe  the 
almost  unparalleled  composure  of  his  closing  scene. 

The  Cross  of  Christ — the  Rock  of  Ages — faith  in  his 
name  who  came  from  Heaven  to  save  us — these  then  are  the 
themes  which  I  commend  to  the  consideration  of  the  mourn- 
ing family,  in  this  time  of  God's  visitation.  Trusting  in 
this  name,  standing  on  this  Rock,  adhering  to  this  Cross, 
you  will  find  the  solace  and  support  which  you  now  need  in 
affliction,  and  which  you  will  soon  need  in  the  hour  of  your 
own  dissolution.  The  relatives  near  and  remote  will  find 
consolation  in  reflecting  on  a  life  of  uncommon  usefulness, 
and  in  the  assurance  that  the  sorrow  they  feel  is  participated 
in  by  all  who  knew  their  departed  friend. 

The  members  of  the  Bar  present  on  this  melancholy  oc- 
casion, in  which  they  are  interested  deeply  from  personal 


15 

acquaintance,  and  identity  of  calling,  will,  I  trust,  return 
from  this  solemn  scene  impressed  with  a  sense  of  their  own 
mortality,  the  necessity  of  always  being  in  a  state  of  prepa- 
ration for  the  approach  of  death,  and  the  importance  of  doing 
with  their  might  whatsoever  their  hand  findeth  to  do  in  the 
service  of  God  their  Saviour.  Faith  in  the  atonement  of 
Jesus  Christ,  working  by  love  and  [)urifying  the  heart,  will 
be  to  you  the  only  safe  confidence  in  the  hour  which  cannot 
be  distant,  when  you  will  follow  your  departed  friend  to  the 
tribunal  above. 

There  are  those  in  this  assembly  who  may  be  expected 
to  feel  the  death  of  Judge  Richardson  with  peculiar  sensi- 
bility, though  not  connected  with  him  by  the  ties  of  blood  ; 
the  aged  men,  who  have  long  been  his  neighbors  and  ac- 
quaintances, and  some  of  them  associated  with  him  formerly 
in  office,  and  long  familiar  with  his  professional  course.  He 
has  gone  before  you  but  a  few  days.  Death  is  making  yearly 
incursions  into  your  little  diminishing  circle.  You  feel  that 
your  time  is  short.  You  feel  too  that  the  faith  of  the  Cross, 
so  warmly  recommended  by  your  friend  in  the  arms  of  death, 
must  be  your  anchor  in  the  same  dread  hour,  if  you  would 
die  in  peace.  We  beseech  you  to  give  all  diligence,  the 
short  remnant  of  your  days,  to  make  your  calling  and  elec- 
tion sure.  Do  all  you  can,  by  every  scriptural  testimony  in 
favor  of  the  Cross,  to  recommend  its  expiating  influences  to 
the  faith  and  life  of  your  fellow-creatures. 

To  the  whole  community  the  death  of  Judge  Richardson 
is  full  of  instruction.  We  all  feel  that  a  great  man  has  fallen. 
Though  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  assign  the  exact  place,  his 
name  is  undoubtedly  on  the  list  with  the  Parsonses,  the 
Livingstons,  and  the   Marshalls  of   our  country.       In    the 


16 

character  of  his  mind,  he  was  wonderful  ;  in  the  resources 
of  his  knowledge,  scarcely  less  so  ;  in  his  official  services  in 
the  most  important  and  responsible  station  in  the  State,  labo- 
rious, able  and  faithful  ;  in  literature,  one  of  the  brightest 
stars  in  our  hemisphere  ;  in  social  dispositions,  generous, 
kindly  and  humane  ;  the  courteous  gentleman ;  the  sympa- 
thizing friend  ;  the  benefactor  of  the  poor ;  the  counsellor 
in  difficulties  ;  the  efficient  patron  of  all  our  literary  and 
religious  institutions.  His  name  will  be  kept  in  cherished 
remembrance,  embalmed  in  the  tears  of  gratitude  and  affec- 
tion ;  and  no  marble  monument  will  be  needed  to  tell  the 
coming  age,  that  he  lived  and  died  in  the  heart  of  this 
community. 


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